Death Valley, 2021

       Death Valley is no joke whether you are just passing through or exploring the many fantastic things to see from -282ft below sea level (Badwater Basin) rock formations to old abandon mining operations, homsteads and peoples get-rich crumbling dreams who ventured into this wilderness to seek fortune.  Navigating through the iconic Death Valley's carved-out dirt tracks, leads you into rocky jagged canyons while climbing off-cambered rock steps to a sketchy overlook that takes your breath away.  

    When you enter Death Valley you should be aware that you have to be prepared for mishap or breakdown.  Passing through or taking days to explore this incredible Valley safety precautions must be taken into consideration.  Is your vehicle in good working order, full tank of gas, good to great tyres w/a spare, plenty of water for you and your passengers as well as plenty of back-up water just in case of a breakdown or overheating radiator.  I say this because the littlest thing can turn into a catastrophic failure if you are not prepared, exposure and heat will take its toll in the summer months.

     This Summer was no joke as we entered Death Valley.  This is the 4th installment on my 5 day overlanding trip with my good friend who's driving his stock 2020 Toyota Tacoma dual-cab (see previous posts 08/31/21 Volcanic Tableland 2021).  We are traveling south on US395 from Crowley Lake and the Whitmore Hot Springs, our turnoff is at Big Pine.  Just before Baker Creek Rd we turn left on to Death Valley Rd. 

    There are many ways to get into Death Valley from US395 as well as entering from the Nevada side.  Death Valley Rd takes you through Devils Gate and skirts you along the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest before entering the Eureka Dunes.  A surrealistic area in the middle of rock mountains is a huge dune system known as Eureka Dunes.  We have been traveling for about a 1.5hrs on Death Valley Rd when we reached the turnoff to the dunes.

    The turnoff is a 20 mile open sandy track that lures you to the idyllic dunes.  When I looked at the temp it was recording 124 degrees, OMGawd!  Everything you touched was burning hot the air was on fire as we walked around our parked rigs against the Dunes to get a few snaps without burning fingers.  What a incredible place to experience record breaking intense heat surrounded by white sand dunes in the middle of the remote Last Chance Range.

  As we continued back on Death Valley Rd. passing through Hanging Rock Canyon we get to Crankshaft Crossing.  Turning right at the junction we are now heading south along the Death Valley Wash. The road is saturated with scenic beauty, it's empty vast landscape reminds you that breaking down is not a option (we only saw 3 vehicles the whole way through).  

 

     As the temps remain high now at 122 degrees my electronic devises start shutting down due to intense heat, phone, Ipad map, Garmin GPS.  Pulling up to a outrages epic overlook of the Ubehebe Crater we stop to enjoy the view and feel the dry fiery hot blowing wind coming off the crater floor (rebooting my gear trying to get some pics). 

   Cruising through Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek we know that camping is not probable so we plow through.  Careful not to rely on my AC (I don't want to chance overheating, not that I'm going to, but Hey, 122 degrees).  Passing Badwater Basin elev -282ft where last year the recorded temp was 133+ we kept going south towards Tecopa Hot Springs what better way to cool off, Right!!  Arriving in Tecopa at sunset we half expected to camp.  Talking over the current situation we were perplexed about staying that's when the furnace door opened and a hot oven like heat was blowing sand and grit into our faces. That was about all we could take so we got back into our rigs and headed for Baker.  Rolling into Baker it was getting late and I was getting tired but my buddy decided to drive 4hrs straight home while I toughed it out for another night.

  I left the heat of Baker 107 degrees (at 10:30PM) heading into The Mojave Desert looking for camp.

 

 

 

 

 Hope to see you on the Trail!!..

 🚙.........